Student flees country after violent dispute
Jordan Lanham
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: News
A Lindenwood student who fled the country last month has been charged with two felonies after authorities say he severely injured another student by beating him with a baseball bat.
Police said that late on April 18, at 900 Parkcrest Drive, Fazull Muhammed, 21, of Bangladesh, beat Punit Mehra, 22, of India, initially leaving him in critical condition and hospitalized.
Capt. Patrick McCarrick of the St. Charles Police Department said that the suspect and victim argued over a woman, who is also a Lindenwood student.
McCarrick said this kind of violent crime is unusual for Lindenwood students. "I can't recall another case like this, where one student was seriously hurt by another," he said.
McCarrick said that Mehra sustained life-threatening injuries, but "the prognosis looks considerably better now."
After the incident, the suspect and friends drove Mehra to the hospital, police said.
When Mehra was admitted, McCarrick said that the emergency department staff called the police department. Officers talked with the suspect and several witnesses in the hospital lobby.
Muhammed was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action.
"After he was arrested, he was subsequently released pending formal charges, and after that he fled the country," McCarrick said.
Dean of Students Terry Russell said that the woman left the country as well.
Since Muhammed is from Bangladesh and has left the country, officials do not expect an extradition. The United States doesn't have an extradition treaty with Bangladesh.
Russell was notified by campus security after the incident. "Typically with the handbook, if you're caught fighting it's a dismissible offense," he said.
Russell said that Muhammed was dismissed from the university and appealed the dismissal.
Dr. John Oldani, vice president for student development, denied the appeal and Muhammed was given time to get his belongings off campus.
Police said that because Muhammed is charged with a class A felony, there is no statute of limitations and they can prosecute him if he's ever caught.
If convicted, Muhammed could face up to life in prison.
Mehra suffered swelling and bleeding on his brain as well as injuries to his legs and torso.
His mother flew in from India to visit him in the hospital, McCarrick said.
Terry Russell said Mehra had surgery to remove clots from his brain and is still under a doctor's care. He was released from the St. Joseph Health Center on April 28.
Police said that late on April 18, at 900 Parkcrest Drive, Fazull Muhammed, 21, of Bangladesh, beat Punit Mehra, 22, of India, initially leaving him in critical condition and hospitalized.
Capt. Patrick McCarrick of the St. Charles Police Department said that the suspect and victim argued over a woman, who is also a Lindenwood student.
McCarrick said this kind of violent crime is unusual for Lindenwood students. "I can't recall another case like this, where one student was seriously hurt by another," he said.
McCarrick said that Mehra sustained life-threatening injuries, but "the prognosis looks considerably better now."
After the incident, the suspect and friends drove Mehra to the hospital, police said.
When Mehra was admitted, McCarrick said that the emergency department staff called the police department. Officers talked with the suspect and several witnesses in the hospital lobby.
Muhammed was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action.
"After he was arrested, he was subsequently released pending formal charges, and after that he fled the country," McCarrick said.
Dean of Students Terry Russell said that the woman left the country as well.
Since Muhammed is from Bangladesh and has left the country, officials do not expect an extradition. The United States doesn't have an extradition treaty with Bangladesh.
Russell was notified by campus security after the incident. "Typically with the handbook, if you're caught fighting it's a dismissible offense," he said.
Russell said that Muhammed was dismissed from the university and appealed the dismissal.
Dr. John Oldani, vice president for student development, denied the appeal and Muhammed was given time to get his belongings off campus.
Police said that because Muhammed is charged with a class A felony, there is no statute of limitations and they can prosecute him if he's ever caught.
If convicted, Muhammed could face up to life in prison.
Mehra suffered swelling and bleeding on his brain as well as injuries to his legs and torso.
His mother flew in from India to visit him in the hospital, McCarrick said.
Terry Russell said Mehra had surgery to remove clots from his brain and is still under a doctor's care. He was released from the St. Joseph Health Center on April 28.
Be the first to comment on this story